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• Alzheimer's FAQ

Serving Pittsfield, the Berkshires and Surrounding Communities

Visiting Angels PITTSFIELD, MA

197 South St Bldg A
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: 413-344-9281

Home Care Solutions in Pittsfield, MA

Home Care Solutions for Caring with Alzheimer's, Support is the Most Important Resource

Do you suspect that your loved one may have Alzheimer’s? Even though there currently isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s, there are therapies and treatments that can slow the worsening of dementia systems. If you think that someone you love may have Alzheimer’s, it’s important to get them in front of a physician as soon as possible. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the sooner that treatments can begin and you can hire home care solutions.

Below are the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s:

1. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home or at work
2. Confusion about time and place
3. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
4. Withdrawal from work or social activities
5. Changes in mood or personality (signs of anxiety, depression, mood swings, disinterest in normal activities, etc.)
6. Challenges in planning or solving problems
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
8. Decreased or poor judgment when making decisions (pay attention to factors their grooming habits or the state of their home)
9. New problems with words in speaking or writing
10. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

If your loved one is displaying any of the above signs, you should get them to a physician as soon as possible. It’s important to understand that Alzheimer’s isn’t a part of the normal aging process. Most people will experience one or two of these symptoms. But, with Alzheimer’s, these symptoms are more persistent and gradually get worse. 

Below are some basic steps that you can take after your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s: 

1. Educate yourself about the disease. The more you know, the more you can be prepared. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and the Alzheimer’s Association are two great resources.
2. Take care of financial, legal and long-term care planning issues. Discuss wishes related to future care and end-of-life issues.
3. Employ cognitive stimulation. Listening to music, word puzzles and memory games can help and can provide a positive experience for the patient and caregivers.
4. Arrange respite and/or regular professional care. Even if you are willing and able to be a primary caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient, you will need help, if only to take a short break. Plus, it helps to introduce a professional caregiver while a person is still in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, because once the disease progresses it can be more difficult and upsetting to change routines. When looking to hire home care help, try to find a person who has Dementia Care Professionals of America training or experience with dementia care clients. Visiting Angels, for example, the nation’s leading network for quality, compassionate home care, is one local home care franchised agency that provides this training to its staff.
5. Build a support system. Being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s can be stressful and overwhelming. Find people to talk to, reach out for help, and always make time to maintain your own physical and mental health. Many local hospitals and departments of aging offer free support groups, along with sites like the National Family Caregivers Association) and Caring.com.

If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, know that you are not alone. For more information or to explore care options, call Visiting Angels at 800-365-4189 or request Alzheimer's care here to learn more.